We publish here the 29th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.

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Cabinet noted progress regarding the implementation of the Binga Development Initiative, a brainchild of His Excellency President Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, focusing on a number of transformative livelihood projects for the Binga District. The Initiative resonates with the mantra, “Leaving No One and No Place Behind.” Progress to date includes the following:

i. The ongoing construction of the Binga-Siakobvu–Karoi road. Upon completion, the road is poised to reduce travelling distance from Harare to Binga via Karoi by 300 kilometres;

ii. Provision of potable water through the drilling of 74 boreholes and other ongoing works such as the installation of 16 solarised boreholes at various sites for communities in the Binga District;

iii. Construction of additional buildings for staff and students’ welfare at the Binga Industrial Training College and the establishment of two additional Government Boarding Schools in the district;

iv. The establishment of the Binga School of Nursing, which is now at an advanced stage;

v. The construction of two new clinics at Mabobolo and Manyanda, which have since been completed; the rehabilitation of Binga District Mortuary; and the donation of 2 ambulances by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa;

vi. The establishment of the Binga Border Post is already at an advanced stage, and actual construction is expected to commence in due course;

vii. The construction of the Binga Civil Registry is 90 percent complete, while Sub-Offices have been established at Kariyangwe and Tyunga-Lunga Ward 1 in Binga District. The initiative is already addressing the lack of identification particulars for communities in Binga District;

viii. The electrification of 8 primary and secondary schools and 300 houses in Binga Township, which has since been completed;

ix. The establishment of irrigation facilities close to Gwayi-Shangani and Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation, both of which have been completed;

x. The rehabilitation of the 1.1-kilometre Binga Airstrip;

xi. The resuscitation of Muchesu Mine, which was commissioned by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, has so far been successful in attracting international capital investments, thereby unlocking employment opportunities for communities in the district;

xii. The establishment of the Binga Town Board has been completed, leading to improved governance of the district;

xiii. Commissioning and distribution of kapenta fishing rigs to beneficiaries in Binga District;

xiv. The construction and commissioning of 37 Sungwale Disaster Recovery Houses; and

xv. The establishment of the Binga Community radio station.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY SHARE OWNERSHIP TRUST FRAMEWORK

Cabinet considered and approved the Implementation of the Community Share Ownership Trust Framework.

Following Government’s adoption of rural industrialisation as a key industrial development strategy to ensure inclusive economic growth in line with the mantra by His Excellency the President of leaving no one and no place behind, the Community Economic Empowerment Trusts will be critical vehicles to drive rural industrialisation in all districts.

These trusts will be expected to form the vital cog that attracts investments, including through partnerships, into agro-processing, leveraging the local agricultural economy and the Village Business Units being established.

The Trusts will be supported to set up industrial parks, working with potential partners in their respective districts.

Additionally, the Economic Empowerment and Indigenisation Act will also be amended and properly aligned with the new thrust on Trusts in order to accelerate development towards the attainment of Vision 2030. Furthermore, the proposed Economic Empowerment and Indigenisation Amendment Bill will be aligned with the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill.

The Implementation Framework for Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) aims to ensure that communities benefit from the extraction and exploitation of natural resources in their respective areas through Revenue Sharing Formulae. Companies that have complied with the laws of the country by paying dividends to the Community Share Ownership Trusts under their jurisdiction will continue their operations, while new entrants are subjected to the new requirements.

The Implementation Framework is anchored on six pillars, namely: Policy shift from Community Share Ownership Trusts to Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs); the One District One Community Economic Empowerment Trust (CEET) Initiative; Revenue Sharing; Rural Industrialisation and Local Enterprise Development; Governance and Administrative Framework; and Institutional Capacity Building. Deliberate efforts will be undertaken to ensure that special interest groups such as women, youths, persons with disabilities, war veterans, and small to medium enterprises will be unchanged in this process.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESERVED SECTORS

Cabinet considered the Report on the Implementation of the Reserved Sector Implementation Framework in line with the decision made at its 15th sitting on June 3, 2025 and noted with satisfaction the increase in investments in line with His Excellency the President’s mantra of “Zimbabwe is Open for Business.” Cabinet agreed on the need to streamline operations in the Reserved Sectors, taking into consideration the balance between national interests and attracting investments into the country, and approved as follows:

i. That henceforth there be exclusive reservation for local citizens in the following sectors: artisanal mining; barbershops; hairdressing and beauty salons; employment agencies; bakeries; advertising agencies; borehole drilling; clearing and customs; valet services; provision of local arts and crafts; marketing and distribution; tobacco grading and packaging; pharmaceutical retailing; estate agencies; transportation including passenger buses, taxis, and car hire services; haulage trucks; haulage and logistics services; grain milling; brick moulding; quarry mining; and granite mining in all spheres;

ii. That there be defined Reserved Sector thresholds for other sectors not prescribed as reserved for locals; and

iii. That a transitional framework for businesses already operating be created.

ZIMBABWE GLOBAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe Global Skills Partnership Programme. The programme recognises the critical skills that are required in Zimbabwe, especially those related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Health, and Agriculture, as indicated from the 2018 National Critical Skills Audit. The Programme is designed to foster reciprocal international partnerships, significantly enhancing the country’s national skills development ecosystem through international exposure, foreign Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) placements, and structured on-the-job training. This holistic approach aims to create a world-class skills base within Zimbabwe and promote a dynamic, mutually beneficial migration of skills supporting national development and economic growth.

The programme offers several key benefits, as follows: ethical recruitment and the protection of Zimbabwean workers from exploitation; ensuring recognition of their qualifications in the partner countries to secure fair and equitable employment opportunities; alleviating domestic unemployment by providing meaningful employment for under-utilised skilled youths, easing social pressures and fostering national stability; and generation of substantial remittances and foreign currency inflows.

Furthermore, Zimbabwean professionals will gain international experience and exposure to advanced technologies and specialised training. These acquired skills and knowledge will be actively facilitated to return to Zimbabwe, directly contributing to national development priorities and raising the overall skill levels through structured skills transfer mechanisms.

PRINCIPLES OF THE ZIMBABWE BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY BILL

Cabinet considered and approved the Principles for the Zimbabwe Border Management Authority Bill as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Zimbabwe Border Management Authority Bill seeks to create a dedicated management authority for effective coordination, rationalisation, and integration of border management processes.

The rationale is to address inefficiencies arising from the existence of a multiplicity of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies all working on border entry and exit processes. The outcome of the Bill will be the creation of a specialised agency under a centrally coordinated authority.

REPORTS ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTERS

Report on the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA): New York, United States of America: September 21 to 30, 2025

Cabinet received and noted the Report on the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which was held from September 21 to 30, 2025 in New York, United States.

Key objectives of Zimbabwe’s participation at UNGA80 were to promote multilateral and bilateral cooperation, engage with potential investors, as well as strengthen diaspora engagement; to launch Zimbabwe’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028.

In his speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to renewed multilateralism and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

The President reiterated Africa’s call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council, the international financial architecture, and the global trading system.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting peace and security, human rights, and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and shared the successes that Zimbabwe has registered in its national development efforts. Zimbabwe successfully launched its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028. The event was attended by over 200 delegates, demonstrating support for Zimbabwe’s bid.

On promoting Brand Zimbabwe, on behalf of His Excellency the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade hosted a Business Roundtable attended by American business leaders from sectors including agriculture, health, energy, mining, tourism, cybersecurity, and academia. During the diaspora engagement, the Minister reassured the diaspora of the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to addressing their concerns and highlighted the investment opportunities that exist in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe delegation also held several meetings to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Report on the 28th Universal Postal Union Congress: Dubai, United Arab Emirates: September 8 to 19, 2025

Cabinet received and noted the Report on the 28th Universal Postal Union Congress, which was held from September 8 to 19, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Congress approved several key reforms to modernise the portfolio of postal products, their remuneration, and their quality of service to better meet the evolving customer and e-commerce demands.

The Congress also endorsed the Universal Postal Union (UPU)’s Strategy (2026 to 2029) and its associated roadmap, the Dubai Business Plan. The strategy outlines a future vision for the postal sector focused on a more interconnected, inclusive, and sustainable society driven by a modern postal network.

Of interest are the significant wins that Zimbabwe made, including securing the position of Vice-Chair for the General Policy and Management of the Work of the Union Committee and a historic election to the Council of Administration of the Universal Postal Union.

This position solidifies Zimbabwe’s role as a key player on the international stage and positions the country to lead the charge in modernising postal services on the continent.

Zimbabwe was also elected to co-chair Committee 4 of the Council of Administration on Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance, alongside Japan, during the Council of Administration’s consultative meeting on September 20, 2025.